"Risk"

tjbusma

5-Year Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2010
Messages
14
I have been labeled as a "risk" in getting an appointment from USMA admissions. However, I recieved a principle nomination from my congressperson. Will I recieve an appoinment since I recieved a principle nom despite my risk status?
 
I have been labeled as a "risk" in getting an appointment from USMA admissions. However, I recieved a principle nomination from my congressperson. Will I recieve an appoinment since I recieved a principle nom despite my risk status?

Do you have any idea why you were labeled as a "risk"?
 
My ACT scores are low.:unhappy:

ACT Scores MATH 24 READ 20 ENG 23 WRITE 23 SCI-REAS 23

I know what everyone is thinking, "Retake the act." I have and I am just bad at this test. I have been getting great grades in school but I have done poorly on these types of tests (ACT and SAT).

I got these scores for act and I earned a principle nom. What does my chances look like? All else looks great but my act. I have good grades in college and in srotc.

Any comments about my chances with low act and a principle nom would be great.
 
There's no way to tell.....

Everyone who got in had a nomination. Plenty of people who didn't get in also had a nomination. If you know what areas you should improve, then try to improve them.
 
Can I ask how it is that you know you are a "risk"? Did they notify you about this or is it your own personal view. Sorry, just curious.
 
You really are the primary with those ACT's?? Have you been recruited for athletics? No offense, but I spoke with my admissions offer today and was told there was no way I way going to get an appt. with my act scores - 33 science, 33 math, 25 reading, 32 English. He even said I would not be competative when I was put in the nation wide pool. He was rather rude acutally and really negative, but now I know to just move on with my ROTC scholarships.
 
You really are the primary with those ACT's?? Have you been recruited for athletics? No offense, but I spoke with my admissions offer today and was told there was no way I way going to get an appt. with my act scores - 33 science, 33 math, 25 reading, 32 English. He even said I would not be competative when I was put in the nation wide pool. He was rather rude acutally and really negative, but now I know to just move on with my ROTC scholarships.

You never know... his district might not be as competitive. He also said that he has good grades, just low ACT scores. His whole record might be outstanding despite these mediocre scores. I received a principle with 1300 M/CR SAT (low CR though) and 3.25 GPA, but my overall application contained many other accomplishments that helped me with getting the nomination. I also consider my district pretty competitive. Your MOC doesn't need to choose the most academically qualified person, just someone who is well rounded and someone that they view will be successful at USMA.
 
riroka

Unless the rest of your app tanked, you should be competetive for any academy with those ACT scores. Your rep doesnt make the final ddecision of admission so dont give up. I have a friend with 28 ACT comp and already an appointment.
 
coffeecup - to answer your risk question - it is a classification on the WP website, so probably either her MALO or RD told her that she had that categorization.

I'm not an expert, but my understanding is that you only have to be "qualified". Generally on the website, people viewed as unqualified academically show up under a different heading (not "risk"). If you haven't been told you were academically unqualified (by the academy or MALO), I would think with a principal nom that you'd be okay. But don't quote me on that! :wink:

riroka - you must be from a really competitive area because those scores look good to me. I can't believe that if everything else in your file is good that those scores could hold you back from a possible appointment. Certainly not a guaranteed one since it all comes down to who you're competing against, but I wouldn't think you'd be completely out of the running! :confused:
 
Can I ask how it is that you know you are a "risk"? Did they notify you about this or is it your own personal view. Sorry, just curious.

I asked my liaison officer.

I am a third year applicant at the USMA. My low act scores have been the reason I have not been getting in. My admissions officer and I have spoken many times over the years regarding my file and many times he said my act scores were low.

I have done fairly well with the nomination process throughout the years with 2 noms my first year, 3 my second, and so far 2 this year. One of the two noms this year is a principle nom.

I have done fairly well throughout my file despite my act scores. I graduated high school with honors, with awards, sports, and clubs. I was captain in most sports i participated in and was in JROTC. 3.85 gpa.

In college.
I got a 4 year Army ROTC scholarship to a university. I have done fairly well both in college and in rotc. I am in rangers and was a VP of finance for the resident halls. I have many hours of volunteering. I was also promoted at my job to manager position. 3.2gpa.

Overall I have a decent looking file. I have wanted WP for many years now and although ROTC is a great way to become an officer, I know WP is for me.

I have heard that having a principle nomination is vital for a person like me. However, I am concerned that I may not be qualified academically cause of my low act score. My act score is what places me in the RISK category for applicants. My thought is that just because I am a risk doesn’t mean I am not academically qualified. It means that admissions are taking a risk on me having an appointment and dropping out cause of academic reasons. Risk doesn’t mean I am not qualified in an area. Or does it?

I am physically and medically qualified.

Any thoughts. Thanks.
 
You really are the primary with those ACT's?? Have you been recruited for athletics? No offense, but I spoke with my admissions offer today and was told there was no way I way going to get an appt. with my act scores - 33 science, 33 math, 25 reading, 32 English. He even said I would not be competative when I was put in the nation wide pool. He was rather rude acutally and really negative, but now I know to just move on with my ROTC scholarships.

ACT scores alone isn't enough so you must be from a really competitive district of not very balanced in other areas.
 
tjbusma: Wow you look like in your good shape despite the risk. Hopefully that won't hold you back. I will cross my fingers for you and wish you the best of luck :thumb:.
 
Your ACT scores will have much less weight if you're not coming right from high school. If you've already been at college and "done fairly well" that will have much more bearing at this point in the game! Good luck and let us know if you get that appointment sometime soon! :thumb:
 
We've all heard that the SA's love kids who apply again after not receiving an appointment the first time around. I think that this being your third time to apply will catch the eye of admissions.

A few questions come to mind as to why you did not receive an appointment last year:
1) What was your college GPA LAST year when you re-applied?
2) Were you/are you taking classes that mimic what you would be taking at West Point?
3) Were you offered USMAPS the first time you applied?
 
I am from a very competative area. I have noms to USAFA and West Point from one source, the others have not been announced yet, am qualified in all areas, but the rep told me I needed more ec's. He even went so far as to tell me that keeping my job rather that joining a club was a bad idea unless I needed the job to "support my family". Honestly, I feel even though it is just as a checker/bagger in a grocery store I have learned so much about life in general by working there. I have balanced my job with going 1/2 days at college and 1/2 days back at my high school as well as play 2 sports and volunteering. AND he also said I may want to consider withdrawing my nomination to give a more qualified candidate a shot!!!!! Uh ok...I was given the nomination for a reason! I have to say the attitude of the counselor was very bad and he made me feel like I was really unworthy.

On a side note...when i got off the phone today I called USAFA to check and see if i was basically in the same postion there and my counselor just chuckled and said "ohhh we are so different from West Point, you are very competative here"
 
We've all heard that the SA's love kids who apply again after not receiving an appointment the first time around. I think that this being your third time to apply will catch the eye of admissions.

A few questions come to mind as to why you did not receive an appointment last year:
1) What was your college GPA LAST year when you re-applied?
2) Were you/are you taking classes that mimic what you would be taking at West Point?
3) Were you offered USMAPS the first time you applied?

1)Last year my gpa was 3.3 in college.
2)I have taken chem and math. This being my third time, I have been taking general classes because I can't wait on wp forever.
3) No I was not offered USMAPS the first time I applied. I would have have taken it if I was given that opportunity.
 
riroka - Did the Regional Commander at West Point tell you that? or was it your Field Force Rep/MALO?
 
tjusma - You are certainly diligent while most in your position would give up and move on. You seem to be doing everything right. Good luck and please keep us posted. Your determination is admirable! :thumb:
 
It was the admissions rep I spoke to when I called to inquire about updating my file with my current activites.
 
That's very disappointing that a Regional Commander would treat you that way. Shocking actually. As someone said earlier, it is the admissions committee that makes the final decision - not the RC. So don't give up. It is good that you were updating your file. Keep doing that. I think if I were you, I would call my Field Force Rep/ MALO and tell them about this conversation and see what they say.
 
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